I'm not generally a big fan of Merlot as a stand-alone variety, prefering it in a blended red, but I had two samples recently that had some attraction. At a Triangle Wine Experience store tasting at Seaboard Wine Cellars I had a Miner Family Merlot that I like well enough to later order two bottles. I will be picking them up the weekend after this. Then at a Turkish restaurant I ordered a glass of the Jekel Merlot (having previously liked a Jekel Syrah.) It didn't come up to the Miner Family Merlot in my estimation but it was
okay and I can see it with the lamb dishes on the menu there.